Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-08-19
THE TRAVELLING FAMILY.
Its Devastating March in a Trop-
ical Country.

| amongst ophHlSA'S IthhllR ptoplo
who were very rude and even barbar-
Gus in their ways. and who neither
understood my speech, nor my mo-
tives for being where was. that l first
heard of the travelling Family"
l was living by myself in little
abode hut, making sketches of the ma
tives and the scenery, and doing my
best to work up an article which
should interest people in that part of
the country. l felt quite sure that
those about me regarded me with
some suspicion, and were not friendly
to me, and / doubted almost every
thing they said, for found them far
from truthful.
! sat one evening over my fire, en-
gagged in cooking queer sort of mess
"a sort of stew in which garlic fig
nred largely. bet which did not find
unpalatable-an thinking that was
rather lonely, and that friendly
caller would not be unpleasant, when
little sound at my door startled me,
land | turned TO see an old man stand
ing there, dressed in the costume of
the place, and seeming TO convey to
me by wave of his hand that his in
tentions were amicable. Having been
so much alone, felt the value OF any
token of good feeling, and arose and
invited the old man in.
Ny mess of pottage being ready,
begged him TO share it; and he con-
sented. After we had finished, he ac-
cepted some cigars | offered him; and
shortly all the long wrinkles in his
mahoranv-coored face became curves,
and he was as courteous rs a Mexican
can be. He did not speak my lam
guaee but knew little of his, and
understood his compliments.
"A good dinner, a fine cigar, o gen
tleman after his own heart; and this. >
he added, as a very comfortable
home. 1t is pity, but come TO say
that YOU must leave it. You must &C
away-oh! right away-and very far.
| come to tell you. Many said: Let
that man find out for himself, but
would not You must go, for the
Travel ne Family is on its way 1t is
very close ut hand. In three days il
will be here. Save yourself and your
possessions while you can. l 60 al
dawn. | have once been where the
Travelling Family visited. Iknow"
1.-The Travelling Familyr' l cried.
''Wby, who are these people that you
should be afraid of them?'
You do not know the Travelling
Family" he asked. well. never
make their acquaintance. Go early to-
morrow from this place. They are
coming, and they travel fast"
He arose and looked at me seriously
1.-The gentleman does not believe, v
he sad.
'Oh, yes l said; II believe. an
much obliged for the warning, but dc
not feel afraid of any travelling family.
i shall stay here"
To tell the truth, l simply thought
he was uttering a falsehood; that the
people wished me TO leave the place
and that he was their ambassador. He
wanted to brighten me, though what
bugbear the Travelling Family repre-
scented had no idea.
slept as usual and arose withou
anxiety; but before | was well into IN,
days work, woman came to my door
and smiled upon me gracously.
The gentlemen is a stranger, she
said "He does not know the Travel
ing Family is coming. We are all go
ing. No one dares stay. Go. also, OF
you will be sorry
/ thanked her. and she went hel
way; but still | did not believe that any
thing was about to happen, until | saw
that in very truth my Mexican neigh.
bors were making preparations for de
parture. They were packing theiI
clothing in curious baskets, suspendinG
their kettles and pots from long sticks
which they carried between them over
Their shoulders. Some loaded theil
mules; some went on foot; but all were
going.
WAS the Travelling Family some
band of IndiansP" | asked myself, "ol
robbers who were known to have M
mercy?"
At least had nothing to steal, and
had been in savage lands without get
ting into difficulties.
The Mexicans had warned me o
something they considered dangerous
They had not lied; but curiosity go
the better of me, and resolved to stay
and see what it all meant knew
that / understood the language sufii
GENTLY to interpret the words. Travel
ing Family was the correct definition
but of what did this family consist
Wild beasts did not march slowl,
down upon village. Savages gcner
ally made ambush. / knew OF no sor